After an incredibly tumultuous start to the season led to a disastrous 2-8 record, the Milwaukee Bucks are finally back to their winning ways after having found some semblance of stability. They’re the fifth seed and are back to .500. Considering the doom and gloom many fans saw on social media in the early part of the season, that’s enough for now.
It remains to be seen if the Bucks can build up some more cohesion and definition over their next few games. While more forceful and decisive, their offense still reads like one-action-after-another and could definitely do with more varied and dynamic scheming. Their defense is competent, but we’ve yet to see these Bucks experiment with zoning and switching as intentionally as one would like.
And while much of the credit will deservedly go to the star duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, two unheralded offseason signings have quietly been the glue holding it all together: Gary Trent Jr. and Taurean Prince.
Signed to minimum deals, both players have been absolute steals, proving their worth in Milwaukee's return to their winning ways.
Milwaukee's offseason acquisitions have made all the difference lately
Prince, initially brought in solely for his defensive versatility, has surprisingly been a sniper from beyond the arc, shooting a jaw-dropping 55 percent from 3-point range on nearly four attempts a night. He's been nothing short of a knockdown shooter for this team and has taken advantage of all the open looks he's getting from Giannis and Damian Lillard.
His ability to stretch the floor has unlocked new offensive dimensions for the Bucks, creating spacing for Giannis and Lillard to thrive. On the other end, Prince has delivered what was expected: rock-solid defense across multiple positions, showcasing the kind of hustle and IQ that championship teams need. Opposing forwards are currently shooting just 33-of-80 (41.3 percent) when matched up against Prince.
Meanwhile, Gary Trent Jr., known for his scoring prowess, has been a revelation on defense, too. It took a while, but he's been showing exactly why the Bucks aggressively pursued him in the offseason.
His active hands, effort in closing out shooters and ability to stay in front of quicker guards have made him a surprisingly reliable two-way player. Offensively, Trent’s shot-making has been as advertised after a bit of a cold spell to start the season, with timely buckets that swing momentum and help the Bucks weather cold spells from their stars. According to Cleaning the Glass, the Bucks are scoring almost four more points per 100 possessions whenever Trent is on the floor.
The Bucks nabbed the steal of the offseason — and then did it again
Trent and Prince are doing exactly what the Bucks expected when they signed them — and more. When it's all said and done this season, fans may end up pointing to those two as the steals of the offseason. Considering what they've brought to their previous teams and the talent levels between them, it's incredible that Milwaukee was able to bring them both in on minimum deals alone.
Together, Prince and Trent have epitomized what makes the Bucks dangerous when their role players click. They provide the perfect blend of skill and grit, complementing Milwaukee’s star power while offering production far exceeding their modest contracts. If this trend holds, the Bucks' front office deserves immense credit for snagging not just one, but two of the biggest bargains of the offseason.
For a team with limited financial flexibility, these signings could be the difference in making another deep playoff run.
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